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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

Morning Mud

■ Phil Steele has Marcus Mariota on top of the list for 2014 Heisman candidates.

Last year, Mariota became the first Oregon quarterback to top 4,000 yards of total offense (4,380) while accounting for 40 total touchdowns and just four interceptions. He accomplished this despite wearing a knee brace for much of the second half of the season, which limited his mobility. With added rest for the bowl game against Texas, he ran for a season-high 133 yards. Now 100 percent healthy, he has a solid shot to top last year's remarkable statistical totals while leading a Ducks team that figures to play a huge role in the first College Football Playoff.

The Ducks will try to get back to Oklahoma City next spring with [Cheridan] Hawkins again in the circle as their ace. The left-hander is well on her way to establishing a UO record for career strikeouts, with 542, more than halfway to Jess Moore’s record of 915. And Hawkins has 54 career wins, on pace to break Moore’s school record of 100.